Fertilizer-distributer.



No. 633,244. Patefited Sept. I9, I899. L. V. LABELLE.

FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTER.

- (Application filed Dec. 5, 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

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No. 633,244. Patented Sept. I9, I899.

' L. V. LABELLE.-

FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTER.

(Application filed Dec. 5, 1898.]

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Shut 2.

Wimesses; Louis Lobehe, lnve nfer m: uonms rn'sns co. Pnoraumo.wAsmnm'ou. m c.

UNIT D STATES PATENT. Prion.

LOUIS V. LABELLE, OF ST. JACQUES DE LACHIGAN, CANADA.

'FERTILIZER-DISTRIBUTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0- 633344, datedSeptember 19, 1899.

Application filed December 5, 1398. Serial No. 698,318. (No model.) 7

To all whom it may-concern.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS V. LABELLE, a subject of Her Majesty the Queenof Great Britain, residing at St. Jacques de lAchigan, county ofMontcalm,Province of Quebec,Canada, haveinvented certain new and usefulImprovements in Fertilizer-Distributers; and I do hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in fertilizeredistributers. k

The object of my invention is to provide a device of this character inwhich the surface of the ground around the plant is effectuallypulverized at the same time as the fertilizer is dropped down andthoroughly mixed with the pulverized earth, the pulverizing of theground serving to open up the pores to the action of the air, sun, andrain.

A further object is to provide such a device with means for protectingthe plant during the action of the pulverizing means.

A further object is to provide a device in which the amount offertilizer to be dropped is regulated.

A further object'is to provide a device in which the fertilizer may bedropped centrally of the distributer or in a circle about the center, asmay be desired.

A further object is to provide such device with pulverizin g-blades adjustably connected to the rotating portion, said blades being capable ofuse either centrally or concentrically, as desired.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which can bereadily transported from plant to plant, which is neat and attractive inappearance, durable in construction, and which can be made at a moderatecost.

To these and other ends my invention consists in the improvedconstruction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed outin the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which similar numerals of reference indicatecorresponding parts in 'ing the openings.

all of the views, Figure 1 is a perspective View showing my improveddistributor in position for use. Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectionalview of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspeclive View showing the rotatingportion of the distributer. Fig. 4is a similar view, looking from below,of the stationary portion of the distributer, showing the openings forthe passage of the fertilizer and the valves for clos- Fig. 5 is asectional view showing a modified form of valves, &c.

The present invention is an improvement on the construction shown in myapplication for patent filed August 30, 1897, Serial No. 650,026, whichsaid application was allowed on the 13th day of December, 1898. In saidformer application the opening for the fertilizer is formed annularabout the rotating portion of the distributer, called theprotecting-drum, which opening is closed by an annular flange formed onsaid drum. Said openin however, cannot be varied to regulate thequantity of fertilizer passed therethrough. Another feature of saidformer application consists in the limitation of the movement of theprotecting-drum, it having buttwo limits of movement, one being theposition occupied when the opening is closed, the other when it is open.The present construction varies from that shown in the formerapplication in that the openings for the passage of the fertilizer arecapable of being closed to a greater or less extent, as may be desired,thus allowing of the passage of predetermined quantities of fertilizer.Another variation consists in providing openings through which thefertilizer may pass within the protectordrum, which is advantageous whenpreparing the hill for the plant, in addition to allowing of the passageto the portion of the distributor without the drum, more especiallyuseful after the plant has been placed. These passages may be usedconsecutively, but not concurrently. An additional variation consists inmaking the pulverizing-blades adjustable vertically and also removable,by reason of which they may be used to pulverize the-ground eitherinside or outside of the protecting-drum. The mechanism for raising andlowering the protectingdrum has also been improved, the presentconstruction allowing the drum to be adjusted to various positions andheld securely in such adjusted positions.

Referring to the present in ven tion,as shown in the accompanyingdrawings, 1 designates my improved distributer, consisting mainly of thestationary hopper portion 2 and the rotating protecting-drum portion 3.

The portion 2 comprises a hopper 4, preferably cylindrical in form andopen at its ends, said hopper portion being provided intermediate itsends with a bottom 5, arranged in the form of an inverted cone. Thebottom 5 is arranged inclined, as shown, for a portion of the diameteronly, it being carried toward the center on a horizontal plane, as shownat 5, the central port-ion being cut away to provide an opening 6. Thehorizontal portion 5 is provided with a number of openings 7, as shownin Fig. 4, said openings 7 being adapted by the pressing of the upperside of a similar number of spring-strips 8 to close against the underside of the horizontal portion 5 below said openings 7, said pressurebeing applied as hereinafter set forth, it being understood, of course,that the normal position of the spring-strips S is away from theopenings 7, leaving said openings free for the passage of thefertilizer. Uprights 9 are connected to opposite sides of said hopper,said uprights extending upwardly a suitable distance, being connected attheir top by a suitable cross-bar 10, having handles 11, by means ofwhich the device can be readily transported. Suitabledownwardlyprojecting pins or lugs 12 are secured to the periphery ofsaid hopper at its bottom, which pins or lugs are adapted to be forcedinto the ground, preventing the hopper portion from rotating when theprotecting-drum and its auxiliaries are being rotated, as hereinafterset forth.

The rotating protecting-drum portion 3 consists, essentially, of theprotecting-drum 13, having its upper end 14: conical-shaped, and thetube 15 extending upwardly a suitable distance, the top being entirelyopen, affording visual access to the interior of the drum, thus enablingit to be placed properly over the plant being fertilized. As shown inFig. 3, the drum 13 is provided with a collar 16, having a peripheralflange 17 extending outwardly therefrom, said flange being adapted to beseated against the spring-strips 8 when the drum portion 3 is placed inposition. As it is necessary that means be provided to allow of thepassage of the fertilizer from the openings 7 downwardly, I providesuitable openings 18 in the flange 17 corresponding to the openings 7,through which the fertilizer is adapted to pass when the spring-strips 8are allowed to pass away from contact with the lower face of thehorizontal portion 5 and exposing the openings 7.

The drum 13 is provided with a series of openings 19, arranged to coactwith a similar series of openings 20, formed in the collar 16,

the openings'19 20 being 'adapted to be in alinement to form a series ofadj ustably-regulated openings between the hopper and the interior ofthe drum 13, or said openings may be out of alinement to prevent anyfertilizer passing within the drum, the collar 16 having its positionchanged as desired, it being held locked in any of its positions bymeans of the bolt 21 and thumb-nut 22, the bolt moving within anelongated slot 23, formed in the drum 13. If desired, suitable mechanismmay be used leading to the outside of the hopper for moving the collaron the protectingdrum 13 when it is desired to open and shut theopenings 19 20; but in practice I have found that this is not necessaryinasmuch as when said openings are in alinement, and particularly whenpartially closed, the fertilizer will be practically held in the hopperuntil the drum is rotated, as hereinafter set forth,when the fertilizerwill be caused to flow through the openings 19 20.

24 designates a series of removably and adjustably mounted blades, eachconsisting of the vertical portion 25, having a slot 26 and the angularportion 27, the latter being adapted to pulverize the ground. Theseblades 24 are held in position by suitable bolts 28, passed through theslots 26 and the drum portion, thumb-nuts 29 being secured on the bolts28 on the interior of the drum 13 similar to the thumb-nut 22. Theangular portions 27 may be arranged to extend outwardly, as shown inFig. 3, or may be extended inwardly within the drum 13 by simplyremoving the bolt 28 and turning the vertical or shank portion in anopposite direction.

As it is essential that the rotating portion be allowed to have avertical movement as well as a rotary, I will now describe the portionsof the mechanism at the top of the distributer,these portions serving topermit both movements.

The tube 15 extends upwardly centrally through the cross-bar 10, theportion of the tube 15 above said cross-bar having a suitable rotatinghandle 30 secured thereon. A plate 31 is located on the cross-bar 10,the tube 15 extending therethrough, and on this plate is located asuitable forked lever 32, the forked portion being adapted to be passedbeneath the collar of the handle 30, the latter resting and havingmovement on said forked ends. The lever is held in position by means ofa suitable staple 33, said lever havingits rear IIO portion 34 arrangedsubstantially as shown IIIO It will be seen by this construction that.

when it is desired to prepare the ground for the reception of the plant,such as the tobaccoplant, the drum portion 3 is drawn to its uppermostposition by simply pressing downward on the rear end of the lever 32,the catch 37 being then secured in place. The thumbnut 22 is thenloosened and the collar 16 rotated until the desired size of opening isprovided by the openings 19 20, after which the thumb-nut 22 istightened. The blades 24 are then placed in position to extend withinthe drum 13, when the device'is ready for use. The distributer is placedin its proper position over the place where the plant is to be placed,the pins or lugs 12 extendinginto the ground. The handle 30 is rotated,which causes the ground to become pulverized and fertilized by thepassing of the fertilizer through the openings 19 20.

When the device is to be used to fertilize the plants after they havebeen placed in position, the collar 16 is moved until the open ings 1920 are out of alinement and the blades 24 are returned to their normalpositions. The device is then placed over the plant, the tube 15 anddrum 13 allowing the user to see the plant when placing the distributer,thus preventing any liability of the plant becoming broken. As it willbe seen by referring to Fig. 2, the lower end of the drum 13 extendsbelow the plane of the hopper, and this allows said lower end to contactwith and perhaps pass slightly within the ground around the plant. Thelever 32 is then released to allow the drum portion 3 to drop down aproper distance, regulated by the quantity of fertilizer desired, whichdownward movement releases the spring-strips 8 from entirely closing theopenings 7 and allows of the escape of a portion of the fertilizer,which as the handle 30 is rotated passes downward through the openings18 into the ground, which has been prepared to receive it by themovement of the blades 24:. After a suitable quantity of fertilizer hasbeen passed from the hopper the lever 32 is depressed, raising the drumportion 3 and closing theopenings.

The construction shown in Fig. 5 varies from that disclosed in theremaining figures in that the spring-strips 8 are dispensed with,

' a suitable ring 38, having openings 39, being arranged to coact withthe horizontal portion 5, a suitable rod 40, secured to said ring andextending outwardly through the hopper, serving to move the ring to openand close the openings. In this connection the openings for the passageof the fertilizer are adjusted and remain the same whether the drumportion 3 is in its upper or lower position, while in the constructionshown in the remaining figures the spring-strips 8 are automaticallyadjusted as the drum portion 3 is depressed. The advantages of thisconstruction are thought to be apparent, and it is believed unnecessaryto set them forth in detail.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4 the handles are adapted torotate in but one direction in order that the full automatic action ofthe spring-strips 8 may be procured.

While the construction herein shown and described is what is believed tobe a preferable embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood thatI do notlimit myself thereto, as various changes in the form,proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to, and Itherefore reserve the right to modify or vary the invention as may fallwithin the spirit and scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1.Afertilizer-distributercomprisingahopper; a rotatable drum locatedtherein, said drum serving to regulate the passage of the fertilizingagent; and blades removably connected to said drum to mix the agent andthe soil.

2. A fertilizer-distributer comprising a stationary hopper; a revolublespindle located therein said spindle being adjustable vertically; meansfixedly connected with said spindle for regulating the passage of thefertilizing agent; and means for mixing the fertilizing agent and thesoil.

3. A fertilizer-distributer comprising a sta tionary hopper; a revolublespindle located therein; means connected with and operated by themovement of said spindle for regulating the quantity of fertilizerpassed from said hopper; and means for mixing the fertilizer with thesoil.

4. A fertilizer-distributer comprisinga stationary hopper; a revolublespindle located therein; means connected with and operated by themovement of .said spindle for automatically regulating the quantity offertilizer passed from said hopper; and means for mixing the fertilizerwith the soil.

5. Afertilizer-distributer comprising a stationary hopper; a revolublespindle located therein, said spindle being adjustable vertically; meansconnected with and operated by the movement of said spindle forregulating the quantity of fertilizer passed from said hopper; and meansfor mixing the fertilizer with the soil.

6. A fertilizer-distributer comprising a stationary hopper; a'revolublespindle located therein, said spindle being adjustable vertically; meansconnected with and operated by the movement of said spindle forautomatically regulating the quantity of fertilizer passed from saidhopper; and means for mixing the fertilizer with the soil.

7. Afertilizer-distributerbomprisingahopper; a rotatable drum locatedtherein, said drum serving to regulate the passage of the fertilizingagent; and blades removably and adj ustably connected to said drum tomix the agent and the soil. 7

8. A fertilizer-distributer comprising a hopper; an opening in saidhopper; mechanism adj ustably mounted in said hopper for closing saidopening and means for locking said mechanism in its adjusted position.

9. Afertilizer distributer comprising a stationary hopper; a hollowprotecting-drum located within said hopper; and means for passing thefertilizing agent from said hopper said agent passing within or withoutsaid drum.

10. A fertilizer-distributer, comprising a stationary hopper; a hollowprotecting-drum located within said hopper; means for passing thefertilizing agent within or without said drum; and means for mixing thefertilizer with the soil.

11. A fertilizer-distributer comprising a hopper; a spindle mountedtherein, said spindle having a rotary and vertical movement, and servingto regulate the passage of the fertilizing agent; means for adj ustablymoving said spindle vertically; and means for holding said spindle inits adjusted vertical position.

12. A fertiliz'erdistributer comprising a hopper; aspindle mountedtherein, said spindle having a rotary and vertical movement serving toregulate the passage of the fertilizing agent; a lever operativelyconnected to said spindle, for adjustably moving said spindlevertically; and means for holding said lever in any of its adjustedpositions.

13. A fertilizerdistributer comprising a hopper; a series vof openingsleading from said hopper for the passage of the fertilizing agent; aseries of spring-strips adapted to close said openings; said stripsbeing normally in inoperative position; and means for moving said stripsinto operative position.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

' LOUIS v. LABELLE.

Witnesses:

J. A. MARION, HORACE G. Snirz.

